I have a 1985 Raleigh Competition made from 531c. The frame has an extra Reynolds decal saying "1935-1985 winning on 531" which would indicate that 1935 was the year that 531 was introduced (amazing deduction), so this Mercier would be one of the earliest frames built with this tubing.
Hugh Thornton Nantwich, England
In a message dated 24/09/02 17:17:05 GMT Daylight Time, ric@cecconi.org.uk writes:
> The bike was bought by my granfather for my father around 1935/36 in Oran,
> Algeria. My father, who's memory is failing, says the bike is a Mercier
> made
> with Reynolds 531 tubing. He had it repainted after the war in Italy. There
> is no trace the original transfers/decals or headbadge on it. My father
> does
> not remember the original colour or what the transfers looks like.